San Diego Zoo Reviews

Best zoo in the US...well of the small sample size I have visited. I always come back to the San Diego zoo whenever I get down because it is amazing. The animals were all very active this last visit and it was great to see all the changes made since my last visit (5 years ago)...there seemed to be less animals though and I suspect a lot of the old groups of animals have been relocated to the Safari park, which I'll definitely be visiting for the first time next time I get down to San Diego.

Be ready for a lot of walking, bring some snacks and water, and enjoy all the amazing animals

Wow! We have wanted to visit this zoo for years. We only had one day left in San Diego and the only disappointing thing was that we ran out of time. Take the guided tour bus, you will see alot of animal activity in the early morning.

Definitely by far the best zoo we have visited anywhere in the world. Lot of lovely and well taken care of animals. Lot of fun stuff to do here other than watching all the animals from all over the world like the skyfari and the open top bus tour.
Kids had a blast and wanted to go back again... Will visit if we are back in this area again.

Amazing zoo. Definitely worth access to the Kangaroo bus and Bus Tours

This is a very big zoo. Wind was very comfortable on Skyfari.
We had been looking forward to seeing lions, but they didn't exist when we visited.

This is by far the best zoo i have ever been been to. All the animals are really cool and it was a great time. I went to the safari ride in the tram and it was awesome. My favorite part of the day was watching the cheetah sprint. Overall great place to go to.

Best zoo I have ever been too. Rare animals in beautiful habitats, helpful and informative staff, good variety of tours, busses and trams, and the plant collection is second to none. Grab a draft beer at any one of the numerous food stands and restaurants, relax by one of the gorgeous waterfalls, and enjoy the wildlife.

Always fun. I suggest getting tickets online.
Take the bus tour and go to the 4D movie.
My son loved it (6 years old).

One of the most impressive zoos you can visit! Get there early to see more.

We had a wonderful time at the zoo. This is the third visit in just a few months. Our annual pass is really paying off.

One of the Nicest zoo's I have ever been to its clean the staff is awsome. It does have alot of hills so it may be tuff for older folks but the bus tour is a Great alternative. And the gondola ride is amazing...

First time to visit, great zoo. They don't advertise it but you can get a Seniors and or Veteran's discount. Also not advertised, save your admission ticket and you won't have to pay extra to take the bus tour or airial tram. That will save you money for sure.

Colourful, accessible and plenty of parking. The animals all have plenty of space and you don't have to wait long to see them. The longest wait is the line to the Pandas which was only 10 minutes.

Bring your walking shoes because there's multiple routes to take through the park. Each one leads you to a good viewing spot for the animals. The only creature I missed was the Snow Leopard, and that was because she was napping behind a rock in her cave. Blim'in cats eh?

For what we pay here, it is amazing to take the kids to enjoy the best zoo I've ever been too

I came from Utah and had the awesome experience of checking the San Diego zoo out! From what I seen the zoo has a little bit of everything! I also really enjoyed the tour bus after walking around for 6 hours it was a nice break, most people take it in the beginning our group decided to take it at the end! Overall it was a great time, thank you to the staff and everyone who makes it possible!

It was amazing, but be prepared to do a lot of walking up and down hills!

Beautiful animals, tons of gift shops. My feet are Killing me though and the map was really confusing. Me and several strangers bonded over how to read it. Someone recommended the app at the end so maybe try that.

Other than the layout I loved the habitats, the water falls, the giraffes, the amount of animals to see etc. We just were not prepared!

Also ate at the grill and it was pretty good.

I had an amazing time at the zoo! Although it's a bummer that the pandas are gone, the other exhibits more than make up for it. It requires a lot of walking if you want to see everything, but it was definitely worth it (in total my phone said I walked over 9 miles). I wanted to give a quick shout out to one of the volunteers at the orangutan enclosure. I don't recall her name, but she was extremely knowledgeable about the various monkeys within the habitat and their individual patterns of behavior. She was very friendly and made that part of the zoo more exciting and memorable for my partner and I.

Between new year's and Christmas visit... Crazy amount of people. But amazing chance to see so many animals in one place .

Very well laid out and interesting zoo. The volunteers (?) walking around made our day with the info the gave. Lost a star because there were no rhino's, pandas or polar bears when we were there.

Very clean, The only zoo where It didn't smell like animal feces all day. Food is a mediocre at a high price, But the zoo and the friendly staff make up for it! Glad to have a staff member able to direct you every few steps.

Best place for kids to learn about animals and conservation.

Wonderful, big zoo. Very helpful giving directions. So many unusual creatures to see.

This zoo is huge and obviously takes care of it's animals. They conservation and treating their animals like the wild animals that they are seriously. There are so many species to see and you could easily spend 2 days wandering around the 100 acres! I highly recommend the bus tour as it let's you get an overview of the entire park and the Inside Look tour as well. It was well worth the price as we got to hear more information about the animals, got to feed some of them, and skipped the line to see the pandas! Awesome place for both adults and children.

Wow definitely needs a two dad way trip to take your time and explore at your pace lol but kids loved it and to see the panda leave...

This is definitely a world class destination. The animals seem happy and well cared for. The employees seem also happy and cared for. There are tons of activities for families and adult groups. There are also spaces in the zoo that can be rented for events. Albert's is a great restaurant right in the center of everything. I recommend bringing healthy snacks unless you are planning for a cheat day; good options tend to be on the fried or sugary side. Parking is free! Definitely lots to do for a full day!

Great zoo, one of a kind, HUGE variety of animals, their is a section with an arctic exploration ride which Is very cool

Always a great place to go with my niece and family.

I loved this place. The bus tour around was good and then walking around to see the animals was fun. Good zoo!

The greatest zoo in the nation continues to go above and beyond and be unbeatable even during COVID.

The San Diego zoo is really big. We went on a Sunday and it surprisingly wasn t that crowded. There is a lot of walking around from area/climate/ region which makes a day at the zoo well spent ! Make sure to take the bus as it gives you a guided tour around the path and then you can walk around areas you would like to explore more. Bring plenty of water /)

Great zoo. Loved every minute. I can't wait to take my family when we get out that way.

This zoo is really a good time! I highly recommend everyone go!!! It s perfect for the whole family.

love knowing our ticket prices are helping to support the animals and jobs during this difficult time, just not a lot of opportunity for distancing during a pandemic. I will say the stores were run efficiently, and drink refills were handed to you in a separate cup to refill yourself. Workers were all pleasant and helpful!

So many different kinds of animals! The staff were all very nice. I was surprised by the activeness of the animals. The price is good for everything you get!

It is well know as the best and biggest zoo in the world, its definitely the best I've been to and I hit up the zoo every place I go. Lives up to its reputation. Lots to do and lots to see. If your willing to spend some(lots) of money there is even more to see

Animals look sad and Lazy. They are cute but some are very hard to see.

Amazing zoo, one of the biggest and best I've ever been to. The rain didn't stop us native Washington folk from having a great time at the zoo. Perhaps the winter isn't the best time here to see some of the animals but it was still worth the trip.

Just got information for future trip. People were a lot of help and park looks beautiful from the entrance.

We had an amazing day from 9 in the morning till 8PM. Although our online pictures got lost we still enjoyed being able to see so many animals.... a whole lot more than we expected... also the sky line was fun. Definitely recommend it to anyone visiting San Diego.

Truly a world class zoo. Although they need more sloth interactions. The best!

Good family fun. Wish a few exhibits were larger for the animals

Had a great time at the zoo!! It was on my wife's bucket list to visit here and it was well worth it! Although the zoo is huge and almost impossible to see everything in one day. Parking is free!

San Diego Zoo was awesome! Go early so the animals are out :-) we went fairly early and the animals were out. The warmer it got though the animals were in the shade and not as visible.

Beautiful zoo! Very accessible. I recommend taking the bus tour around the zoo. The drivers share lots about the animals and our driver was telling zoo jokes the whole time. Very entertaining.

The zoo is amazing. The employees are friendly and extremely helpful. We loved walking through all the different habitats and seeing the variety of plant and animal life. You can see most of the zoo in 4 hours. But, I would recommend spending most of the day if you have the time.

I love this place. Living in Phoenix it is a nice get away. The food is expensive but like all attractions they have to make a profit somehow. I really appreciate the fact that the admission goes to the animals and studues.

Amazing! I can't believe how close you can get to the animals

Favorite place in San Diego! Had a lot of fun. Panda and penguins are the must-see. Animals been taken good care.

It is epic so with cool animals and and cool animals from all over the world
It is a go again place

Amazing zoo with such great exhibits and healthy animals

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the San Diego Zoo. The exhibits are fascinating, the animals were alert and beautiful, and the complimentary maps, combined with the bus tour and the skyline ride made navigating the zoo simple and entertaining. We recommend this to anyone.

A perfect way to spend a day..we took a bus day trip from Disney land ,where we were staying through a company,bus & tickets were included in one price..The zoo was clean and well organized.Unlike other zoos the habitats were well designed to give the animals lots of room to roam about. To be seen or hide from prying eyes should the mood move them to play shy.Take the gondola to get an birds eye view of the park.Walk around a little,then take the scenic bus tour to see more of the park,then wander around to see the areas that are your favourite.Take lots of pictures,or have them taken for you.The staff are friendly and professional,spend a day and make memories for a lifetime.

Really nice place for a walk. Annual pass well worth it

So much to see! So much calories to burn if you walk the entire map to see all the animals, and not take the tour bus! Only disappointing part was waiting in line for about 30 minutes only to see a panda sleeping far away from the viewing area. Lol. Overall, a great experience.

Beautiful park friendly staff overall a great experience. We had so much fun

They handle the Quarantine situation well. They also add some reprecaution for mammals in case the virus can infect them.

Been coming here for 50 years and still love it. A San Diego must see.

Amazing place....
Big Zoo in a City....
I think that animals have a enough space.... than other Zoo.... I am not comfortable with zoo s because animals looks sad.... but San Diego Zoo is doing the best for them.....
Beautifully Place

Surprisingly lovely and updated. Not at all fast food. Specialty menu with reasonable prices. Great decor

Everything that we've seen so far on our visit has been great. Bus Tour & Skyfari are fantastic.

San Diego Zoo was a absolute joy. Its hands down the best zoo I have ever been to. Lots to see and do.
Great experience!

Huge! Animals appear very well cared for. We go to animal parks all the time and unfortunately some can seem so sad, but here the enclosures are very dynamic and engaging. The organization of the park is also very well thought out. Great way to spend the day with the family.

Just an unbelievable amount of animals you are able to get very close to a lot of the different animals the best Zoo I've ever been to

Great place as we all know. Kids loved and so did we. Great craft brews and food everywhere. Easy access to see animals and good close up opportunities. Went around holidays, so the "jungle bells" theme was added fun with dance contests and more activities. Got season pass, will be back.

We love the zoo! It is such a treasure to our city and the world of conservation.

Actually I am a Curator member and we had our annual breakfast but it was at Safari Land in Encinitas. This was my first time to Safari Land and it was awesome you must visit plan a whole day

Great Zoo, but I miss the pandas.
A lot of animals aren't showing, I think they should notify it.

Always an amazing zoo. It's very large so plan to spend the whole day. The animals are well taken care of and the grounds are well kept.

Love this place. It's huge, so much to do. So family oriented. Best of all parking is free

Beautiful zoo in the heart of Balboa. Definitely worth checking out while you re visiting SD.

Everything was taking a nap between 12-2. However, it was the first time the sun was shining in 4 days. Make a plan before you go on the route you want to take. The map can get you turned around.

Almost every interesting animal "was out of exhibit ". Was able to see the pandas- that was fun

An awesome experience! Took the bus tour first then hit the individual exhibits that we either missed or wanted to get pics of!

This is a world famous zoo for a reason. Plenty of animals, very well design to maximize the interaction between animals and persons. I have been in Toronto Zoo and Miami Zoo but this is by far the best Zoo I have seen.

My wife surprised me with a trip to San Diego for my 50th birthday. She picked San Diego based on thier phenomenal zoo and my desire to see it. She surprised me with not only a trip to the zoo but a VIP behind the scenes tour. Our friends that we vacation with also surprised me and went with us to the zoo. When I heard how much the VIP experience was, I hoped the four of us would think it was worth it at the end of the day. We met our tour guide Sara at the front gate. We all liked her immediately. Sara was as charming as she was beautiful. So knowledgeable about all the different animals, history of the zoo as well as local and state history. She was an amazing ambassador of the zoo, but San Diego as well. She made the tour fun, interesting and thought provoking all at the same time. All the employees of the zoo we met were so passionate about what they do. It was truly awesome to talk to them and hear about the animals they love and care for. So if your thinking of going to a great zoo, but San Diego at the top of your list. If your contemplating the VIP tour do not hesitate it is well worth it. Request Sara and she will make a great experience into a unforgettable one!

This is THE San Diego Zoo. It was everything it was cracked up to be. Multiple exhibits on just about every region of the world. And their efforts on animal conservation and care are unmatched entirely. My favorite exhibit was probably the elephants, and they ve got the largest elephant hospital in the world to boot. It s a little pricey but you get exactly what you pay for. Only thing I didn t get to see was the polar bears. You can easily spend an entire day here.

Great Zoo. 1 of only 4 zoo's to have Pandas but the line to see the Pandas was extremely long with no over cover from the sun. And even with a map this zoo compared to others got a little confusing with all the twist and turns. Other than that this zoo was very well kept, clean and beautiful landscaping with lots of animals to see.

Awesome! Best zoo ever. Beautiful animal enclosures. Amazing water features for nearly every animal. Tours, guides, benches everywhere, to take a rest. Highly recommend for the whole family. Grandparents to infants.